Dr. Theresa Rouse for Regional Superintendent
For Dr. Theresa Rouse, education isn’t a job - it’s a calling. Over a career spanning classroom teaching, school leadership, county office service, and 16 years as a superintendent (10 of which were in Illinois), she has earned a reputation for listening, problem-solving, and partnering. Theresa knows the Regional Office of Education (ROE) must be a steady bridge, translating state rules, conducting rigorous compliance and health‑life‑safety inspections, and coordinating alternative education, while respecting local control.
She has a special heart for smaller districts, where “one person wears many hats,” and she has led consortia and shared‑service models so small systems aren’t forced to reinvent the wheel. A musician (violin, piano, and voice), Theresa believes in whole‑child learning - academic rigor alongside social‑emotional wellness, the arts, and practical supports that reduce trauma’s impact on learning.
Superintendents across Will County are urging a change because they need a responsive partner at the ROE - one who provides timely, correct answers. Theresa Rouse is running for Regional Superintendent to deliver exactly that: service, support, and solutions that help districts do what they do best - educate kids safely and well.